March 8th is the birthday of not only one but TWO young women very close to my heart. One a friend since very early childhood, another a family member and role model all my life. Thank you to these two for making the world a better place by being around!
Besides that, it was inter-nat'lwomen'sday!!! Women all over the world celebrate this holiday -- in Cameroon, there's an official Women's Day pagne that is sported in myriad sizes and styles by all women who can, and there are parades and festivities. I'm not sure when the pagne trend will hit the US... hopefully ASAP. Maybe y'all should take a hint from me, or one of these ladies.
I could just keep adding onto this post forever... but it's time to stop editing and just post. Here are some recent items about women: a random amalgam.
"Women of the World" slideshow from Reuter's
The Great Wall of Vagina ?! Are you KIDDING ME, this artist is the best!
A former wife grieves. You know, she might be getting a ton of hate mail for writing disparaging remarks about a famous and talented musician, but it was refreshing for me to read this. I don't think it's vengeful, though she's clearly having a lot of negative emotions toward Carney. She seems to be telling these stories as carefully as she can -- recreating how it felt at the time -- I think that's what good writers can do. Of course it isn't objective, and neither are his reflections on their relationship in the new album. Love can be a shitty, messy, claustrophobic and unhealthy thing, but it always starts out good. A good (or the worst? hardest?) thing to remember when you're going through shit with someone, to remember what was good, what you valued.
Jane Feltes is how I imagine the older sister I never had: beautiful big bangs, knows everything, and doesn't mind when I watch her get ready for her dates from directly over her shoulder, or when I accidentally mush down all her lipsticks.
Women in Haiti in danger. I read this and think about what to do when people's lives are so unstable and invisible, when women are being hurt so badly, when they aren't getting the govt protection they deserve as citizens. I can't forget this and everything that's happened since last January. Here's where I go to find out if there's anything I can do.
There is, and I 'd argue that it's not just about women's rights to safety in Haiti when I see things like this. There is just so much to say.... but, most importantly: wherever we are in the world, we need to look out for each other. The world gets so heavy, but instead of letting it press us down, it must press us on. Every day, every day, every day.
